DND contemplates providing defense aid to America should it enter into war with North Korea

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense is studying the possibility of providing assistance to the United States as tension grows between the US and North Korea.

However, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, noted the U.S. can seek assistance from the Philippines in case a war occurs between Washington and the isolated Korean nation.

This, although the Philippines will not be directly affected in the event tension gets worse between the U.S. and NoKor.

Despite this, the Department of National Defense (DND) said it will still study if such assistance is under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) of the Philippines and the U.S.

“They cannot use EDCA to bring in their troops or leaving supplies here,” said Secretary Lorenzana.

EDCA allows the United States to send military troops to the Philippines to participate in military exercises, and to immediately provide aid to the country in times of calamities.

However, the U.S. is prohibited from constructing military facilities or bases or to position nuclear weapons in any of the territories of the Philippines.

Despite this, the defense official noted there is still a need for the Philippines to prepare for a disaster management plan – since if North Korea’s missile attack to the U.S. military base in Guam misfires, there is a possibility it may hit a Philippine territory.

“We are watching with concern. I think their rockets are not that accurate. But if they misfire, the president says, it might hit our territory like Luneta, and then we’ll all burn,” said Lorenzana. — Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue